Break in Diplomatic Relations with Cuba
Eisenhower breaks off diplomatic relations with Cuba
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1961 in Cuba
Explore 76 historical events and records for Cuba in 1961.
Historical records for Cuba in 1961
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 76 unique records.
76Unique records
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34Named events on this page
22Named people on this page
9Places on this page
January
Economy of Cuba
Eisenhower breaks off diplomatic relations with Cuba
February
Exile Government Procedure Negotiated
Varona represents the Democratic Revolutionary Front in negotiations over procedures for choosing a future Cuban Revolutionary Council.
Exile Unity Negotiations
Ray negotiates with Varona and other opposition leaders over a unified political structure for the anti-Castro movement.
Provisional Government Planning Committee
Carrillo participates in the six-man exile committee designing procedures for a post-Castro provisional government.
Revolutionary Council Selection Talks
Artime joins leading Cuban exiles in negotiating the composition and political programme of a future revolutionary council.
March
Revolutionary Council Chairman Elected
Cuban exile leaders unanimously select Miro Cardona to chair the Cuban Revolutionary Council.
Cuban Revolutionary Council (CRC)
The CIA helped Cuban exiles in Miami to create the Cuban Revolutionary Council (CRC), chaired by Jose Miro Cardona, former Prime Minister of Cuba in January 1959. Cardona became the de facto leader-in-waiting of the intended post-invasion Cuban Government
Revolutionary Council Chairmanship Candidate
Pazos is considered among the principal candidates for chairmanship of the Cuban Revolutionary Council.
Revolutionary Council Delegation Joined
Chibas joins the exile delegation associated with Miro Cardona's newly formed Cuban Revolutionary Council.
Revolutionary Council Leadership Candidate
Hevia is considered for senior leadership in the exile political structure being prepared to replace Castro.
April
Automatic Recognition Ruled Out
Miro Cardona is told that a provisional government proclaimed in Cuba would not receive automatic United States recognition.
No Overt US Troops Warning
Berle and Schlesinger tell Miro Cardona that United States troops will not be sent to support the anti-Castro operation.
Baracoa Diversion Launched
Diaz attempts a diversionary landing intended to distract Cuban defenders.
First Baracoa Diversion Attempt
Diaz commands an attempted diversionary landing near Baracoa.
Invasion of Cuba
During the night of 14/15 April, a diversionary landing was planned near Baracoa, Oriente Province, by about 164 Cuban exiles commanded by Higinio 'Nino' Diaz
B-26 Strike Formation Led
Herrera leads exile bombers during the pre-invasion attacks on Cuban airfields.
Bay of Pigs Air Strike
Leads a B-26 formation with Alabama Air National Guard advisers during the pre-invasion air strike.
Cuban Complaint at United Nations
Roa accuses the United States of responsibility for the air attacks on Cuba.
False Defector Story Challenged
Roa challenges the claim that a Cuban pilot independently attacked government airfields.
Invasion of Cuba
On the night of 15/16 April, the Nino Diaz group failed in a second attempted diversionary landing at a fresh location near Baracoa
Second Baracoa Diversion Attempt
Diaz leads a second unsuccessful diversionary landing attempt near Baracoa.
United Nations Protest Filed
Roa formally protests the air attacks before the United Nations.
Escape from Las Delicias
Martinez escapes into the countryside after the Las Delicias uprising is defeated.
Invasion of Cuba
Merardo Leon, Jose Leon, and 14 others staged an armed uprising at Las Delicias Estate in Las Villas, with only four surviving. Leonel Martinez and three others took to the countryside
Invasion of Cuba
Merardo Leon, Jose Leon, and 14 others staged an armed uprising at Las Delicias Estate in Las Villas, with only four surviving. Leonel Martinez and three others took to the countryside
Invasion of Cuba
Merardo Leon, Jose Leon, and 14 others staged an armed uprising at Las Delicias Estate in Las Villas, with only four surviving. Leonel Martinez and three others took to the countryside
Las Delicias Resistance
Merardo Leon participates in the armed uprising at Las Delicias.
Las Delicias Uprising
Jose Leon joins an armed anti-Castro uprising at the Las Delicias estate.
Air Defense of Cuba
Commands or flies in Cuban air operations defending the Bay of Pigs area.
Coup
Lands a force of 1,500 Cuban exiles in an attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro
Cuban Air Force Retains Combat Capability
Castro's government retains enough operational aircraft after the preliminary strikes to attack invasion shipping and bombers.
Defense of Cuba
Commands revolutionary forces mobilized during the Bay of Pigs emergency.
Defense of Cuba
Takes part in revolutionary command arrangements during the Bay of Pigs emergency.
Direct Command of Cuban Counterattack
Castro directly commands Cuban armed forces responding to the Brigade 2506 landings.
Front Command Established
Fernandez establishes a command post directing forces toward the invasion area.
Invasion of Cuba
The CIA assumed that the invasion would spark a popular uprising against Castro, however by the time the invasion began, Castro had already executed some who were suspected of colluding with the American campaign. President Kennedy withdraws support for the invasion at the last minute by canceling several bombing sorties that could have crippled the entire Cuban Air Force
Invasion Shipping Attacked
Carreras attacks brigade ships and landing positions in a Cuban combat aircraft.
Mass Mobilisation against Invasion
Castro mobilises Cuban military and militia forces against the exile landings on the southern coast.
Playa Giron Field Headquarters
Perez San Roman directs Brigade 2506 field operations from the Playa Giron sector after the landing.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.